Seems like everyone loves the food find posts! This time I have a collection of items from a variety of stores. From fresh green tea flavored mints to turkey kielbasa there is something to please everyone’s pallet. Keep these products in mind while you are out and about holiday shopping.

This is light and refreshing. It’s perfect over some baby greens with Gorgonzola cheese, pecans and fresh pear slices. I have been making that salad a lot lately with the delicious pears that are in season. Fabulous!

It’s low fat but full of flavor and made from fairly healthy ingredients. It can be found at most grocery stores, Whole Foods and health food stores. Oh and a little goes a long way too.

This lovely duo came from Costco. The pomegranate/acai flavor has been a nice change of pace in smoothies. It tastes darn good on it’s own too. Updating the post to say that this brand of Kefir is sold at many grocery stores, Whole Foods and health food stores.

Hubby Tom likes to drink the plain one straight up! It’s a little tart like that for me but its perfect in smoothies or subs well for buttermilk in most recipes. It’s probiotic which is good for digestion and the immune system. Check out this Kefir smoothie and other smoothie recipes.

I love, love, love these mints! My girlfriend Judy gave me a container of these and I have been keeping a container of them in my purse ever since. They have a very light mint taste and a slight green tea flavor. So refreshing! Thanks for turning me onto these Judy.

Sold at Trader Joe’s – sorry for those who don’t have a TJ’s.

Our Target stores now carry groceries which I find to be so convenient since I love to shop there. The other day they had these small bags of frozen vegetables and brown rice on sale for $1 each. They can be microwaved right in the bag so they will come in handy in the weeks to come. They would also be great for college students – are you reading this David?

Another Target find is this Bear Naked Vanilla Almond Crunch granola. Now let me say that no store bought low fat granola can top the flavor of my favorite easy best homemade granola but this one is pretty darn good for a store bought version.

At just 120 calories per 1/4 cup this is pretty easy to incorporate into your daily menu. A couple tablespoons over a dish of fat free Greek yogurt and some fresh fruit adds some nice flavor and a little crunch. In addition to Target I have seen this at Whole Foods and some grocery stores.

If you follow the recipes posted on Nutmeg Notebook you already know that garlic is used often around here. This already peeled garlic is a time saver. Not only does it save time, since it cuts down on the amount of time spent handling garlic you are less likely to have that garlic smell on your hands. It can be purchased at the grocery store in the refrigeration section of the produce department- I usually get it at Safeway. Costco sells a bigger bag of it but I wouldn’t be able to use it up before it spoils. Trader Joe’s also has already peeled garlic.

Instead of getting measuring spoons dirty I have been using my scale to measure things like peanut butter! I also weigh out things like oatmeal right into my bowl instead of using measuring cups, reset the scale by pressing the on/zero tab and weigh the add ins like wheat germ, flax or cranberries. Why didn’t I think of this before?

Discalimer – All of the products here were purchased by me and I wasn’t asked to review them nor was I paid for these reviews.

Nutmeg Notes

Stormy weather has hit in Northern California! This morning while still in bed listening to the rain and wind whip against the house and windows I decided it sounded like we were inside one of those drive thru car washes! Thank goodness I got out earlier this week and got all my errands done.

It’s only November 30th but get this - my Christmas packages have already been mailed – yes mailed- the stockings are filled, Christmas cards and address labels have been ordered and are on their way! Nothing like a December surgery to motivate a person to get things done early.

Foot Notes

I’ve been getting questions and comments about my surgery so I will try to fill in the gaps for everyone. At 7:00 am on December 5th -next Wednesday I will be having foot surgery on my right foot to correct some mechanics that keep it from functioning properly. This issue has been 0n going since June and currently I am experiencing chronic pain that just won’t let up. This will be out patient surgery – we have to be there at 6:00 am and they said to plan on being there 4-5 hours. Since it’s my right foot I won’t be able to drive for about 6 weeks post surgery. That is such a bummer – I hate being stranded at home. The good thing is that my adult children will be available during that time since they will be off for Winter break. So although I thought the timing of the surgery was really bad it’s turning out to be a blessing. Hubby Tom and our children have excellent bedside manner – I have taught them well. I will be well cared for.

Post Surgery Updates

Many of you have inquired about how or when I will let you know how I’m doing post surgery. I hadn’t thought about that yet so thank you for bringing that to my attention. I think the easiest way to let you know all is well post surgery will be by posting on the Nutmeg Notebook facebook page. If I’m not up to doing that Hubby Tom can post a short note. If you don’t already follow my Nutmeg Notebook facebook page just click on the facebook icon located on this page in the right side bar under the subscribe tab. Then click on the like tab on my facebook page. This will allow you to get any updates to my page on your facebook news feed. I will resume posting here as soon as I can. Since I will be couched for a while I’m sure there will be plenty of computer time. Hopefully I will have time to post one more time before surgery.

Kindness Matters

Thank you for all of the lovely comments, emails and well wishes about surgery. I appreciate your warm and caring thoughts. So many wonderful friendships have been made through this blog. Even though I will most likely never get to meet most of you please know that I do value your friendship and appreciate you following the blog.

I hate measuring peanut butter and use a scale for that and also for most of the weighing of my big ingredients in a baking recipe. I love that you don’t have all those cups left to wash! Very nice. I’m glad your surgery is coming up soon I know you will be so happy once you are no longer in pain and have full use of your foot.

Tami says:

Add me to the list of people who love the food finds posts!! Now that we have a Trader Joe’s, I spend lots of time discovering my own food finds! Our TJ’s is within sight of the mall where Bill and I walk every morning which means I can meander over there after I finish at about 8:15 a.m. Most often, I am one of about five customers in the store because they have just opened. It’s wonderful!! Thanks for the details about your surgery. I knew it was the 5th (it was on my calendar!!), but am glad you gave us some more details. Had failed to pick up on you FB page, so now I can keep in touch that way as well. Best of luck in the days to come. Selfishly, I’ll be more than happy for you to have time to post more frequently.

Tami says:

How nice that you have a TJ’s Sharon! Its so much more fun to shop there when it isn’t crowded so you can actually browse and find new products. Our TJ’s is almost always packed with people. Do follow my Nutmeg facebook page as that will be an easy way for hubby Tom to let everyone know how things are going. I can’t believe you had my surgery on your calendar! I appreciate your friendship Sharon!